Christian Science Monitor | Politics

Unemployment benefits 101: When will your state cut off extended benefits?

Congress is nearing a deal to extend long-term unemployment benefits to the end of the year. But many states plan to cut off the benefits well before Dec. 31.

Chicago area called most corrupt in US. Why Rahm Emanuel is under fire.

Chicago and its suburbs have averaged 51 public corruption convictions per year since 1976, a new study finds. Critics say Rahm Emanuel has not made City Hall sufficiently transparent.

Why did Democrats choose Antonio Villaraigosa to lead national convention?

Antonio Villaraigosa has built an impressive résumé in the California Assembly and as mayor of Los Angeles. As chair of the Democratic National Convention, he could help woo Latinos.

Should Ron Paul demand a new vote count in Maine?

Evidence is mounting that the vote totals for the Maine caucuses, in which Mitt Romney edged out Ron Paul, were pretty messed up. In addition to towns that hadn't voted yet, others' totals were not recorded.

Payroll tax deal close: Why did Republicans back down? (+video)

Senate Republicans came to a realization on the payroll tax cut fight: We got the policy right but the politics wrong and it’s time to move on. Specifics of the deal are still being hashed out.

'Crate-Gate' puts Mitt Romney in doghouse at Westminster show

Nearly 30 years ago, Mitt Romney put his Irish setter in a crate lashed to the roof rack for a trip to Canada. Democratic protesters at the Westminster dog show were not amused.

No budget? No problem! The strange politics behind a budgetless America.

President Obama has proposed a federal budget. Congress looks sure to ignore it, and Senate Democrats show no desire to pass any budget. It would be the fourth straight budgetless year.

Congress poised to scale back unemployment benefits from 99 weeks

House and Senate negotiators agree to shrink the maximum number of weeks someone can collect unemployment benefits. Many states have been reducing them anyway, as jobless rates fall.

Is Rick Santorum facing a brewing 'women problem'?

Recent statements about women, and passages from his 2005 book, have put Rick Santorum on the defensive. Even within GOP ranks there are signs of a gender split.

Can Mitt Romney convince Arizona he is a true conservative?

A Mitt Romney win in Arizona seems likely, but the state will provide a testing ground for whether Rick Santorum's social-conservative message can resonate in a less traditionally religious state.

Will Mitt Romney's aversion to the auto bailout hurt him in Michigan? (+video)

Mitt Romney’s defense of his stance on the auto bailout is difficult to parse. Romney was against the bailout before he was for it, except not the bailout that happened, or something like that.

America's big wealth gap: Is it good, bad, or irrelevant?

The gap between rich and poor is at its widest since the Roaring '20s. Obama complains that it's unfair, but a growing chorus of economists and sociologists say it's worse than that.

In surprise move, GOP leaders admit defeat in payroll tax battle

House GOP leaders had wanted to offset the cost of a payroll tax extension by spending cuts. But their decision Monday suggests that the political cost of a stalemate was too high.

Three weeks until Super Tuesday, but some states are already voting

Of the 10 Super Tuesday states, early voting is now under way in three: Vermont, Ohio, and Georgia. It begins in Tennessee on Wednesday. How early voting might affect the outcome.

Could Mitt Romney lose to Rick Santorum in Michigan? (+video)

It looks like 'anti-Romney' Republicans in Michigan are coalescing around Rick Santorum as their candidate. Even on his home turf, Mitt Romney suffers from an 'enthusiasm gap' problem.

Does Obama blueprint reduce budget deficit fast enough? (+video)

US budget deficit, which has hit $1 trillion for four straight years, would fall to $900 billion in 2013, under Obama's budget blueprint released Monday. It is slated to keep falling, but even by 2018 would barely satisfy credit-rating firms.

Did Mitt Romney steal Maine caucuses from Ron Paul?

The caucus for Washington County, Maine was cancelled Saturday due to the threat of inclement weather. Ron Paul supporters believe that with those votes, Paul could have won the state contest.

As birth control flap goes on, who benefits most? Santorum? Obama?

The two sides are hardening their positions on contraception. The divide between many Catholics and bishops remains. And it’s raising questions over who benefits in the presidential election.

Why Abraham Lincoln's birthday isn't a federal holiday

President's Day celebrates Abraham Lincoln, right? Nope. There is no 'President's Day.' It's actually legally known only as 'Washington's Birthday,' leaving Old Abe out the cold.

Sarah Palin wows CPAC. But has the race for the White House moved beyond her?

Sarah Palin energized the crowd of activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday. She has yet to endorse a GOP presidential candidate, which keeps her in the game.